Winter can be a magical wonderland full of new activities for your tiniest adventurer, but only if the right gear is at hand. The right gear makes winter just another frontier to explore on skis, sleds, snowboards, or just good old snow boots. If you are looking to suit up your tot in gear that will look great while performing well, look no further than the below gear from some of our favorite tried and true brands.
Icebreaker Kids’ Oasis Crew and Leggings
Just like adults, kids will keep warmer and be more comfortable in the cold with a solid base layer to build on. And like kids wool socks, little base layers can be hard to find unless you know about Icebreaker. Made with 200g of pure merino wool, these layers are soft, breathable and will stave off getting too stinky even after wearing them a few days in a row (a natural function of all merino wool). $50 | icebreaker.com
Patagonia Baby Lightweight Synchilla Snap-T Pullover
This fleece has become our little one’s favorite item for just about anything. From running around the house in slippers and just the fleece, to layering it with the full snow get-up, it provides exceptional warmth, with luxurious softness. The snap closure collar is versatile for letting heat out or keeping warmth in and the elastic cuffs help with drafty wind as well. Available in 3m to 5T sizes. $60 | patagonia.com
Eddie Bauer Kids’ Downlight Hooded Jacket
With 650-fill down insulation and Stormshell DWR water-repellant fabric, this jacket will keep your wee one dry while exploring snow-forts and ski slopes. The tailored cut of the jackets is a welcome change from the typical boxy cut of most kids jackets—especially if your tot is a slender size. Mom will covet the Girls’ version as it looks like a pint sized sophisticated women’s jacket. $99 | eddiebauer.com
The North Face Toddler Insulated Jumpsuit
Why risk having places where snow can creep in when you can go with the full coverage of a jumpsuit? For the crazy cold, and for endless romping in the snow, give your little one the best chance of being unreachable by those winter and even wet conditions. While we would often recommend to size up for kids stuff, The North Face seems to size a little large as it is. And, to extend an extra season after making an investment like this, they brilliantly hemmed in some extra fabric that will allow the arms and legs to be extended. $149 | thenorthface.com
Columbia Children’s Buga Bib Snow Pants
Sometimes a full body suit can be a bit much for a toddler. Separates allow for maximum layering and maximum temperature control. However a traditional pair of pants on a toddler playing in the snow, is a recipe for a whole lot of snow (and cold) making its way down pants and up backs. For a sturdy, but not bulky option, the Buga Bib is ideal. It has a soft fleece tank top that has adjustable Velcro straps for room to grow, and the attached waterproof pants have Columbia’s Outgrow cuffs to extend the pants for multiple seasons. The pants also include reinforced knees, cuffs, and gators to give your tot the freedom to tromp through the snow without getting wet. Finally, the bibs have a kid friendly front zipper that make potty breaks between ski runs a breeze. $60 | columbia.com
L.L.Bean Toddlers’ Power Puffer Pants
For moments when toting your tot in the cold is a necessity (i.e. commuting with biking trailers or carrying in a kid hiking pack), you need more warmth than waterproofness and these puffy pants do the job. They are fleece lined, making them super soft (especially for longer wear), and have a polyester insulation that performs well even if things get a little wet (as if kids can avoid getting wet in the snow) and has a great price tag. They have plenty of room making them comfortable and flexible and are the perfect last layer for a bit of extra warmth. $50 | llbean.com
Smartwool Kids’ Wintersport Socks
What’s in a sock? Ideally, toasty toes and that’s just what these little socks deliver. Little adventurers can benefit from wool socks as well and it really amazed us as to how hard it was to find little wool socks. But Smartwool has invested in socks for adventurers of all sizes. $16 | smartwool.com
Bogs B-MOC Puff Boots
These boots are perfect… I mean perfect. They are warm, easy to put on, and 100% waterproof. They also have a fancy zip cord along the ankle for extra security during more intense adventures. Look no more for the boot that will keep your tot’s toes warm while keeping parents sane. $60 | bogsfootwear.com
Gordini Cub Mitt
Possibly the most difficult piece of gear to make work on a toddler is some method of keeping their hands warm. Their little fingers don’t do well in gloves so mittens are the way to go, despite the loss of dexterity. Nevertheless, Gordini has managed to come up with a mitt that works great and even stays on those busy little hands. The gauntlet style cuff reaches over puffy jackets to keep snow from sneaking in. The zipper makes getting the gloves on easy and the back strap adds an extra layer of sinch and snugness. Our little tyke even had the dexderity to ride her Strider bike with these gloves, which is perfect for when we strap the skis on the bike. $23 | gordini.com
Julbo Atmo Goggles
Small faces need small goggles and that’s important when protecting young eyes from the harsh glare of the sun. And what’s great about goggles are the way they strap on and stay in place. The Atmo’s fit tiny faces perfectly and they have a great field of view to keep your kiddo from feeling like the world in closing in on them. They can see everything going on and can play for hours in the sun-bathed snow without worry. $50 | julbo.com
